The 24:7 Theatre Festival is a unique event, helping to promote new plays while developing the emerging talent of writers, directors, actors, producers and technicians in Manchester. It has been held annually since 24 July 2004 (hence 24:7) and in that time some 166 productions have been seen in non-theatre spaces across Manchester, including hotels, bars and, in 2008, a music shop.

New stretch target

With a few days still to run, the campaign is going well. We've reached our FIRST target of £2,500. Now we've achieved that one, we don't really want you to stop pledging, because we really need more! So we've set a "stretch target" of £7,500! You see, we've applied to the Arts Council for considerably more than this, and by getting a crowd of people to contribute a number of small amounts, we give them the confidence that their investment is sound.

Our aim at 24:7 is to develop people in all aspects of theatre-making, not only as writers and actors, but as a producer or director, or improving your marketing or technical skills.

With more cash, we'll be able to programme extra events during the weekend, including rehearsed readings and the staging of plays in development.

Last year one of our 'extras', War Stories, a collaboration between 24:7 and You Are Here festival in Australia, went on to the Re:play season at HOME and has had interest from the British Council, amongst others.

So join us in making more things happen for more people in development!

Project aim

Help us fund our Big Festival Weekend: 3 days of world premieres, plays in development, monologues, family friendly fun, workshops and more.

About the project

Since 2004 24:7 has presented an annual festival of new theatre in Manchester, dedicated to providing equitable opportunity for the hidden talents of the professional theatre community in the city and beyond.Through our curated Festival of new theatre work we enrich and entertain our audiences, empower our participants and provide an industry respected showcase to further their careers.

Throughout the year, we seek to support artists’ professional development, collaborate with other like minded organisations and generally agitate for the creation of opportunities in the theatrical community.

Since 2004, we have produced 166 plays by 144 writers, and 656 actors have performed to audiences exceeding 37,500. 24:7 alumni have gone on to work in film, TV and theatre, in all aspects of production, onstage and off.

This year we are holding a Big Festival Weekend at the Martin Harris Centre in Manchester. As well as exciting new plays, there will be extra events such as workshops, site specific monologues, family friendly performances and more. To help us make this weekend the best it can be, we are looking for financial help to support our marketing, staffing and production costs, ensuring we are able to help develop more new and emerging talent, and allow local audiences to enjoy great new writing and theatre.

Rewards

Get £5 reward

Thank you, every little helps! Watch out for your shout out on social media!

17 backers so far

Estimated delivery: May 2015

Get £10 reward

Thanks for believing in our project! As well as a social media shout out your name will appear in the 2015 Big Festival Weekend programme.

24 backers so far

Estimated delivery: July 2015

Get £25 reward

Thank you for your generous donation! We would like to thank you with all the above rewards as well as a very special 24:7 surprise goody bag.

32 backers so far

Estimated delivery: June 2015

Get £50 reward

Want a sneaky peek at the 2015 Big Festival Weekend? You will get 2 tickets to our Media Launch in June 2015, as well as all the incentives for £25.

13 backers so far

Estimated delivery: April 2015

Get £100 reward

Cheers! We would like to thank you with the same rewards as for £50 plus two tickets for one of this year's 24:7 plays and your chance to meet the cast.

7 backers so far

Estimated delivery: June 2015

Get £250 reward

Wow, thanks a lot! Your reward will be two tickets to each of the three main plays at the festival, followed by drinks with a 24:7 patron. Of course we will also give you a shout out on social media, print your name in the programme, send you a goody bag and invite you and a guest to the Media Launch in June 2015.

1 backer so far

Estimated delivery: May 2015

Get £500 reward

Thank you so much for your generosity! For this donation you will receive all the incentives as for £250, as well as being named as the exclusive sponsor of one of our 5 Festival workshops.

0 backers so far

Estimated delivery: April 2015

Get £1,000 reward

Thank you for being such a strong believer in our project! We would like you to become the official sponsor of one of our 2015 Big Festival Weekend Productions! You will of course also receive the same incentives as for the £250 pledge.